The NFL is still trying to figure everything out. The league is creating protocols to keep players and team staffs safe and prevent COVID-19 from impacting the 2020 season. Among those efforts is forbidding post-game player interactions within six feet of each other, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Also gone will be jersey exchanges between players.
NFL teams will be forbidden from postgame interactions within 6 feet of each other and jersey exchanges between players will be prohibited during the 2020 season, sources say.
Another way the NFL will look different in the COVID-19 world.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 9, 2020
One player who found the new rules somewhat amusing and ironic is San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman, who questions the NFL's thinking. Yes, limiting post-game interactions will help, but that's still after players just finished engaging in a full three-hour battle involving tackling and other close-quarters play.
This is a perfect example of NFL thinking in a nutshell. Players can go engage in a full contact game and do it safely. However, it is deemed unsafe for them to exchange jerseys after said game. 😂🤣😂 https://t.co/fWefsUSVDc
— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) July 9, 2020
Sherman wasn't the only one who noticed the irony.
thats DAMN SILLY bro.. 🤦🏾♂️ https://t.co/QDOwn2G3bc
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) July 9, 2020
So we can tackle each other for 60min but can't exchange jersey that takes 2 mins😂😂😂 https://t.co/5RKq54T0mH
— Darius Slay (@bigplay24slay) July 9, 2020
LOL never mind the game where players will be constantly be in close contact sweating and breathing heavily on one another for 3 hours https://t.co/uRjWtJbfiG
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) July 9, 2020
😂😂😂😂 Cmon man. I know I just TACKLED you 3 mins ago but I'm gonna have to mail you my jersey. https://t.co/UiCFLoewiT
— Darius Butler (@DariusJButler) July 9, 2020
Training camp kicks off later this month, and the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is pushing for the elimination of 11-on-11 activities during practices — both in training camp and potentially in-season. It also wants to cancel the entire preseason, which has been deemed unnecessary. The NFL, however, would like to keep two weeks of the exhibition schedule, proposing to cancel Weeks 1 and 4 of the preseason.
It's also worth noting that Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that coaches and players won't be required to wear masks on the sidelines.
Other game day protocols: Coaches and players won't be required to wear masks on the sidelines. Everyone else in the bench does have to wear a mask. https://t.co/ovKPcCwaD9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 9, 2020
The ban on postgame jersey exchanges was included in NFL-NFLPA game-day protocols that clubs received last night. Other notable changes for 2020:
- On-field fan seating is prohibited.
- Both teams must travel to the stadium via bus.
- Media will be banned from the locker room. https://t.co/WizWrySFvU
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 9, 2020
As for the jersey swaps, Rapoport reports that the decision was jointly agreed upon by both the NFL and NFLPA.
One note on this: This prohibition of jersey swaps was jointly agreed upon by both parties and endorsed by the NFLPA. https://t.co/ovKPcCwaD9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 9, 2020